Transport in the Country

Getting around can be hard enough sometimes whether you live in a busy city or remote countryside. One advantage of moving to the country is that you're guaranteed to never have to sit in another traffic jam for as long as you're travelling on those country roads. However, you'll probably end up travelling about 40% further than you did when living in an urban area. Living out 'in the sticks' means having to rely a lot more on either your car or public transport for commuting to and from work.

It's important you know what type of transport is available to you as the ability of people getting around can affect opportunities for employment and education. Here are some tips:

Having your own Car

Rural residents tend to rely greatly on their cars for work and leisure. More than 85% of households in rural areas have one car or more, which, compared to the national figure of 72%, is quite high. Not having a car could cause some inconveniences, but there are alternatives.

Local Buses

Public transport doesn't generally have a good reputation, but you'll be pleased to know services in the country are rapidly improving. Although the services don't tend to run as frequently as in urban areas, they are usually a lot more reliable and on time, so you won't have to be "STILL waiting for that bus"!

On your Bike

Not the best option if you've got to travel miles to and from work, but for getting around locally, it's a great idea. Not having a car means you are tied down to specific times, whether it be bus or train times, but a bike is the next best thing. Cycling through the countryside helps you to appreciate the reality of country life, and of course, it's great exercise!

Taxi!

It may be an expensive way of getting around, but coming home from places at night can be fairly difficult if buses and trains have stopped running and you've had one too many to drink! A lot of taxi firms prefer you to book in advance if you are travelling a certain amount of miles out of the town.

Rural Transport Grant Schemes

Local bus services are being given support through schemes managed by agencies such as the Countryside Agency. The aim is to form partnerships between the public, private and voluntary sectors to increase long term transport improvements in rural areas. Over 80 transport partnerships have been established across England in order to make rural areas more accessible, solve any problems of social exclusion, and support small market towns and villages.

Some currently successful projects include:-

• 'Thamesdown Rural Dial-a-Ride' near Swindon
  Click here for more information
• 'Essex Dengie VillageLink'
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• 'Wiltshire Wigglybus'
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• 'Hadrian's Wall Bus' in Cumbria and Northumberland
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• 'Wheels 2 Work' especially created for young people
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Rural Transport Grants are also helping to improve other community-based transport projects, such 'dial-a-ride', taxi vouchers, walking and cycling projects, car share schemes and extensions to bus routes.